The disinterest in his voice fueled Aizel’s fury. She was notanotherprisoner, another diver, another number. It was almost comical. The longer she was treated as such, the more she loathed it. One would think she’d be used to it by now.
“This is the escaped diver, Your Majesty.” The older man, whose name must have been Turio, leaned forward as he spoke, causing his long, thinning beard to sway stiffly.
The king raised his eyebrows just the smallest fraction, but Aizel could feel the energy of the room changing instantly.
He was interested in her, and that gaveherpower.
The bearded man had not noticed the king’s subtle change of interest and had continued speaking into his monarch’s ear. “This is the same sorceress who upset your plans at the seaside attack some time ago.”
The young king nodded without turning his face to Turio.
Aizel kept her eyes glued to his from her place below the throne’s dais. She had upset their plans? She had no idea what she had done, but she was suddenly quite proud of herself.
The king merely stared at her, as everyone in the room waited silently.
“She is dangerous, Your Majesty.” The wide-legged man opposite Turio leaned down to speak directly in the king’s ear, but his whispered words were loud enough for the whole room to hear.
Aizel caught a flicker of annoyance on the king’s face as he lifted his head and waved the man away. “I know her power.”
Though the king’s voice was neither angry nor dismissive, the older man jolted back as if he had been reprimanded.
“Do not fear, Younn,” the king continued. “She shall make up for the disruption to our plans.”
Aizel swallowed but kept her face passive. She had seen what the taskers did to other Majis who’d been caught trying to escape.
Turio smiled, the grim gesture visible behind his thinning facial hair. “What did you have planned, Your Majesty?”
“She shall repair what she has damaged,” the king said simply, as though that explained everything.
Aizel focused on the small bit of power she still had in this exchange. She did not know why the young king was interested in her, but she would rather die than aid him. Literally. Her thoughts were racing, but she kept them to herself.
Then, with a small smile, she realized her mouth was free. She could say whatever she wanted. “I would rather die than help you,” Aizel said, speaking for the first time in multiple days.
Two guards at the side of the room instantly raised their hands, fingers spread wide as their palms reached high.
Aizel tried not to visibly flinch. The taskers could cause horrible pain by merely lifting their hands, using their magic to amplify any chaos within their intended victim.
The king raised his hand to stop them.
For the first time since she had entered the room, his clean-shaven face twisted into a smile. “But would you let your sister die in your place?”
Chapter 11
“You look awful.” Prince August of Allys raised his eyebrows at Erich.
“I feel awful,” Erich replied. He had been traveling for nearly a month’s time in search of the Majis sorceress. “Also, hello to you, too,” he continued sarcastically. “So good to see you after all this time.”
“And here I thought we were close enough friends to skip through the falsehoods and speak right to the heart of the matter.” August shrugged, a warm smile on his welcoming face.
Erich grinned back at him. “I am honestly sure you’re so thrilled to see me you don’t care that I am unannounced.”
“It’s good to see you again, friend, unexpected as it is,” August said. “What can I do for you?”
Erich’s shoulders dropped. “We have much to cover. But important things first. Could I trouble you for a bath and a bed to stay the night?”
“I’ve already called for a bath. I could smell you from the courtyard.”
Erich narrowed his eyes. “Now I remember why I have not visited you for so long, friend.”
